Watch TV in your taxi!

In-cab TV in Asia and the UK:

With over 66,000 taxis in Beijing and another 42,000 in Shanghai, Capad[TV] is taking advantage of a captive audience in the backseat of China’s cabs. With an exclusive ten-year contract securing it the right to install units in 10,000 Shanghai taxis, Capad[TV] is set to reach 578,000 viewers per day, reports aka TV. (4/27/2005) Touchscreens are now also appearing in cabs in Australia, compliments of ambient-media company TouchTaxi, which began rolling out its pilot fleet of fifty Silver Service taxis in Melbourne in October last year. The company anticipates having between 500 and 1,000 taxis in every major urban area in Australia, with a reach of 500,000 to one million passengers per month.

According to a Net Imperative report, travellers in London’s black cabs will be able to watch TV, following the launch of Cabvision - a new in-cab TV system using digital audio broadcasting technology to deliver media content and GPRS from mobile operator O₂. (3/21/2005)

The system is set to be installed in 1,000 London taxis in April.

Taxi passengers will be able to view a range of TV channels including news, travel and the BBC comedy channel. Cabvision’s programming schedule is designed to appeal to young, affluent and educated audience, which, according to an independent survey commissioned by Cabvision, accounts for the majority of the 63% of people who use London taxis more than once a month.

The Cabvision system uses a purpose built computer housed in the boot of the cab, and a high res. flat screen integrated into the central bulkhead between the tip up seats.(see below)

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My opinion:

Just great! No more need to endure your driver's conversation or silence!